Method and system for account holders to make, track and control virtual credit card numbers using an electronic device

ABSTRACT

A method and system that allows an account holder to create secure single and multi-use virtual credit account numbers from electronic devices, such as smart phones, tablets, computers and so forth. In addition, the method and system allows non-editable virtual credit card images to be created in another name from an administrator&#39;s account, which is perfect for employer/employee card creation, and electronically transmitted to an intended recipient. Secure virtual credit account numbers may be sent via email as a card image or SMS text message. An account holder or appointed administrator may establish restrictions on usage of a recipient&#39;s virtual credit card. The method and system also includes a pay system for processing batch payments for vendors by uploading payment files and issuing virtual credit cards to vendors with outstanding invoices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.13/252,843, filed on Oct. 4, 2011, which is currently pending. Thepatent application identified above is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to day to day financial transactions made byaccount holders, such as business owners, employees and ordinaryindividuals and more particularly to a method and system that allows anaccount holder to create secure single and multi-use virtual creditcards from an electronic device and securely transmit that informationto a vendor for payment of an amount due or to a third party, such as anemployee for use by the employee to charge business expenses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Credit account holders, such as businesses, conduct financialtransactions using credit cards every day. For example, businesses mayconduct financial transactions that include vendor payments, travelarrangements, office supplies, car rentals, hotel reservations and soforth. Business owners are concerned with tracking vendor payments madeusing credit cards due to possible overcharges, skimming, fraud and/ortheft that may occur. In addition, business owners are concerned aboutemployees' use of company credit cards for the same reasons. However,business owners often find out about occurrences of overcharges,skimming, fraud and/or theft after it has already happened. The same istrue for ordinary individuals using personal credit accounts.

Therefore, a need exists for a method and system for account holders toprevent occurrences of overcharges, skimming, fraud and/or theft priorto these actions occurring by allowing account holders to make paymentsto vendors using secure single and multi-use virtual credit cards andprovide third party recipients, such as employees or a child who needs aloan, with virtual credit cards from an electronic device, such as asmart phone, tablet, computer and so forth, while being able to monitorand restrict usage of the virtual credit cards at any time from the sameor other device.

The relevant prior art includes the following references:

Patent No. Issue/Publication (U.S. Patent References) Inventor Date2011/0137748 Baher Jun. 09, 2011 2011/0153437 Archer et al. Jun. 23,2011 2011/0145044 Nelson et al. Jun. 16, 2011 2011/0137748 Baher Jun.09, 2011 7,859,529 Walker et al. Dec. 14, 2010 7,844,550 Walker et al.Nov. 30, 2010 2010/0299259 Walker et al. Nov. 25, 2010 2010/0288834Tichelaer et al. Nov. 18, 2010 7,822,666 Bursch Oct. 26, 2010 7,810,720Lovett Oct. 12, 2010 2010/0088188 Kumer et al. Apr. 08, 2010 7,593,896Flitcroft et al. Sep. 22, 2009 7,571,142 Flitcroft et al. Aug. 04, 20097,568,631 Gibbs et al. Aug. 04, 2009 7,567,934 Flitcroft et al. Jul. 28,2009 2009/0006254 Mumm et al. Jan. 01, 2009 2008/0033878 Krikorian etal. Feb. 07, 2008 7,236,957 Crosson Smith Jun. 26, 2007 7,177,835 Walkeret al. Feb. 13, 2007 7,136,835 Flitcroft et al. Nov. 14, 20062006/0248009 Hicks et al. Nov. 02, 2006 2005/0177504 Crosson Smith Aug.11, 2005 2004/0133507 Barbour Jul. 08, 2004 2002/0046341 Kazaks et al.Apr. 18, 2002 2003/0105709 Orlando Dec. 03, 2001 2001/0047335 Arndt etal. Nov. 29, 2001 6,202,155 Tushie et al. Mar. 13, 2001 6,613,771 Walkeret al. Dec. 19, 2000 5,883,810 Franklin et al. Mar. 16, 1999

NON-PATENT REFERENCES

-   http://www.tchek.com/offerings/corporate-and-commercial/virtual-card/http://www.-   http://www.geardiary.com/2009/01/24/use-paypals-free-disposable-credit-card-number-to-manage-recurring-charges/-   http://techland.time.com/2011/05/03/disposable-credit-card-numbers-can-protect-you-from-hacks/

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a method andsystem for account holders to make, track and control virtual creditcard numbers in which an account holder may create secure single andmulti-use virtual credit cards using an electronic device, such as asmart phone, tablet, computer and so forth.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a method andsystem for account holders to make, track and control virtual creditcard numbers using an electronic device in which an account holder cancreate and use virtual credit cards to make payments to vendors.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method andsystem for account holders to make, track and control virtual creditcard numbers using an electronic device in which an account holder cancreate and send virtual credit cards to an employee for the employee tomake one or more business transactions.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a method andsystem for account holders to make, track and control virtual creditcard numbers using an electronic device in which an account holder maycreate an instant virtual credit card using pre-stored accountinformation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method andsystem for account holders to make, track and control virtual creditcard numbers using an electronic device in which an account holder canmange and track the use of virtual credit cards at any time from anelectronic device.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a method andsystem for account holders to change restrictions on use for issuedvirtual credit cards and/or block existing virtual credit cards fromfurther use at any time from an electronic device.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providinga payment method that allows an account holder or user to create securesingle and multi-use virtual credit cards from electronic devices, suchas smart phones, tablets, computers and so forth. The method and systemallows non-editable virtual credit card images to be created in anothername from an administrator's account and then be electronicallytransmitted to an intended recipient. Secure virtual credit cards orcredit card numbers may be sent via email as a card image or SMS textmessage. The method and system of the present invention also containsenhanced security features, including a personal identification number(“PIN”) prompting at setup and an option to create single and multi-usevirtual credit cards for vendor payments all without storing sensitivecredit card data on a mobile device's operating system or hardware. Themethod and system has custom control features which include purchaserestrictions that may be set when a virtual credit card is created andthen changed at any time by the account holder or administrator. Forexample, an account holder or appointed administrator may restrict anemployee's virtual credit card for use at businesses having specificmerchant category codes (“MCC”), such as an airline to ensure theemployee only uses the virtual credit card to purchase an airlineticket. The account holder may change those restrictions or disable thevirtual credit card from further use at any time from an electronicdevice, such as a smart phone, tablet, computer and so forth.

Virtual credit cards may also be assigned to specific accounts payable,purchase orders, invoice numbers and/or be customized with memo notes.Users may also copy and paste virtual credit card numbers within anInternet browser to complete an online purchase as well as view or blockexisting virtual credit cards from any further use at any time from anyelectronic device. In addition, virtual credit cards may be created andsent as payments, rewards, incentives, rebates, loyalty incentives toemployees or customers and so forth.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled inthe art upon a reading of the following detailed description inconjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and describedillustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to theattached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing various users of the method and system ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing steps for creating an account with acredit card issuer to be used in conjunction with the method and systemof the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing steps for accessing an account holder'saccount via an electronic device using the method and system of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing steps for creating a virtual credit cardusing the method and system of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing steps for electronically transmitting avirtual credit card to a recipient using the method and system of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing steps for managing existing virtualcredit cards of an account using the method and system of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing steps for managing various accountsettings using the method and system of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing steps for creating an instant virtualcredit card using the method and system of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing steps for copying instant virtual creditcard information into a payment screen to complete an online purchaseusing the method and system of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an example of a computer environment, in which the method andsystem of the present invention operates;

FIG. 11 is a front view of an electronic device displaying an accountsetup screen of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a front view of an electronic device displaying a user loginscreen requiring a PIN of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a front view of an electronic device displaying a main screenhaving the options of creating an instant virtual credit card, a virtualcredit card, viewing existing virtual credit cards or viewing accountsettings of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a front view of an electronic device displaying options andstep for creating a virtual credit card of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a front view of an electronic device displaying advancedoptions and step for creating a virtual credit card of the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 is a front view of an electronic device displaying an option tolimit the number of transactions that may be performed using a virtualcredit card of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a front view of an electronic device displaying an option tolimit the merchant categories where a virtual credit card of the presentinvention may be used;

FIG. 18 is a front view of an electronic device displaying a listing ofexisting virtual credit cards of the present invention that have beenissued by the administrator;

FIG. 19 is a front view of an electronic device displaying an option toblock a virtual credit card of the present invention from being used forany future transaction;

FIG. 20 is a front view of an electronic device displaying accountdetails of an existing virtual credit card of the present invention; and

FIG. 21 is a front view of an electronic device displaying options forsending a virtual credit card of the present invention to a recipient;

FIG. 22 is a front view of an electronic device displaying optionsviewing balance, account settings, instant virtual card settings andvirtual credit card setting present invention;

FIG. 23 is a front view of an electronic device displaying options forviewing and changing account settings of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a front view of an electronic device displaying options forviewing and changing instant virtual credit card settings of the presentinvention;

FIG. 25 is a front view of an electronic device displaying options forviewing and changing virtual credit card settings of the presentinvention;

FIG. 26 is a front view of an electronic device displaying anon-editable virtual credit card of the present invention;

FIGS. 27 a and 27 b are views of a display screen showing a demo modefor demonstrating the method and system of the present invention;

FIGS. 28 a-28 l are views of a display screen showing steps for securelysending a virtual credit card using the method and system of thepresent;

FIGS. 29 a-29 c are views of a display screen showing steps for sendingvirtual credit cards to multiple recipients at the same time using themethod and system of the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a view of a display screen showing steps attaching andsending a photo with a virtual credit card using the method and systemof the present invention; and

FIG. 31 is a view of a display screen showing steps for logging intoaccounts for users having more than one account with the serviceprovider.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, a flow chart showing various users of themethod and system of the present invention is illustrated. A credit cardissuer 101 provides a line of credit or means to pre-fund an account andaccount to an account holder 102, who may be a business owner or otherindividual having a personal account. The account holder 102 may thenact as an administrator 103 or appoint another or additional individualsto act as administrators 103, who then manage the account and create andtransmit virtual credit cards to recipients 104, such as vendors,employees and so forth, using the method and system of the presentinvention. Sub-administrators 105 may also manage the account and createand transmit virtual credit cards to recipients 104. Sub-administrators105 may have narrower access to account information and/or otherrestrictions on their access to the account, such as only being able toaccess the account and create virtual credit cards during work hours.

With reference to FIG. 2, a flow chart showing steps for creating anaccount with a credit card issuer to be used in conjunction with themethod and system of the present invention is illustrated. First, anaccount holder, such as a business owner, creates a credit account orpre-funded account with a credit card issuer 201. Then, the accountholder's account information is stored in the card issuer's centraldatabase 202. Next, a line of credit is extended to the account holderor the account is pre-funded by the account holder 203 to be used by theaccount holder to conduct financial transactions using virtual creditcards. Then, the account holder allows one or more administrators orsub-administrators access to the account 204. Next, the one or moreadministrators or sub-administrators download software from the cardissuer onto an electronic device 205 that allows the one or moreadministrators or sub administrators to create and transmit virtualcredit cards using the method and system of the present invention.Finally, a sign on name, account code, customer ID, password, securityinformation and/or personal identification number (“PIN”) are createdand assigned to the one or more administrators or sub-administrators 206to allow them access to the account. In the following description,reference to administrators means administrators and sub-administratorsunless otherwise specified.

With reference to FIG. 3, a flow chart showing steps for accessing anaccount holder's account via an electronic device using the method andsystem of the present invention is illustrated. First, an administratoropens the software on his or her electronic device and is connected withthe card issuer's server via the Internet 301. Next, the administratorenters a PIN into the electronic device 302. If the PIN is not verifiedto be correct by the card issuer 303 then access to the account holder'saccount is denied 304. If the PIN is verified to be correct by the cardissuer 305 then access to the account holder's account is allowed 306.Then, the administrator may create a virtual credit card on theelectronic device 307, manage the account on the electronic device 308,create an instant credit card 309 and/or manage account settings 310.

With reference to FIG. 4, a flow chart showing steps for creating avirtual credit card using the method and system of the present inventionis illustrated. First, the administrator selects an option to create avirtual credit card 401 (as shown in FIG. 3). Then, the administratorenters a dollar amount 402. Next, the administrator may select an optionto make the dollar amount to be a limit 403 that may be charged usingthe account number that is unique to the virtual credit card beingcreated or the administrator may select an option to make the dollaramount exact 404, thereby limiting the use of the account number andvirtual credit card to a specific charge amount. Then, the administratoris given an option to limit use of the virtual credit card to one ormore particular industries 405 which may be limited according tomerchant category codes (“MCC”). If the administrator selects to limitcard use to one or more particular MCC 406 then the administratorselects from a list of industries the use of the virtual credit cardwill be limited to 407. For example, the virtual credit card may belimited to an MCC for airlines. Alternatively, the administrator mayselect not to limit use of the virtual credit card to one or moreparticular MCC 408. Next, the administrator is given an option to enteradditional information to limit the use of the virtual credit card 409.Such limitations may include setting an expiration date, limiting thenumber of transactions the virtual credit card may be used for, limitingthe use of the virtual credit card to a specific purchase order orinvoice number and so forth. Then, the administrator confirms theselections and entered information 410 and the virtual credit card iscreated. If the administrator created the virtual credit card forhis/her own use 411, then the virtual credit card is saved in the cardissuer's central database 412 so the administrator can retrieve thevirtual credit card for future use using the electronic device. If theadministrator created the virtual credit card for a recipient 413, suchas an employee or a vendor, then the virtual credit card is saved incard issuer's central database and sent electronically to the recipient414 (as illustrated in FIG. 5) or the virtual credit card may be savedin the card issuer's central database 415 to be sent to a recipient at alater date.

With reference to FIG. 5, a flow chart showing steps for electronicallytransmitting a virtual credit card to a recipient using the method andsystem of the present invention is illustrated. First, the administratorselects option to send a created virtual credit card to a recipient 501.Then, the administrator enters recipients contact information 502. Next,the administrator may enter a message 503 to accompany the virtualcredit card. Then, the administrator may email an un-editable image ofthe virtual credit card to the recipient 504, email only the virtualcredit card information, such as the card number, card security code andso forth, to the recipient 505, SMS text an un-editable image of thevirtual credit card to the recipient 506 or text only the virtual creditcard information to the recipient 507. If the recipient is a vendor,then the vendor may charge money to the account holder's line of creditaccording to the limitations placed on the virtual credit card. If therecipient is an employee, then the recipient may use the non-editableimage or account number to charge expenses according to the limitationsplaced on the virtual credit card. The administrator may also have theability to select a secure and/or tokenized email delivery method,wherein the recipient will receive an email containing a secure link toan online portal accessible via internet browser. After following thelink, the recipient will verify their identity, authenticate and loginto the online portal to retrieve a virtual credit card.

With reference to FIG. 6, a flow chart showing steps for managingexisting virtual credit cards of an account using the method and systemof the present invention is illustrated. First, the administratorselects an option to manage the account 601 (as shown in FIG. 3). Then,the administrator may select an option to search existing virtual creditcards 602 have been created and which are saved on the card issuer'scentral database. Next, the administrator selects a virtual credit cardto review 603. Then, the administrator may leave the virtual credit cardas is or change certain parameters of the virtual credit card 604, suchas expiration date, charge limit, industries wherein the card may beused with and so forth.

The administrator may also select an option to block an existing virtualcredit card from further use 605. If the administrator chooses to blockan existing virtual credit card form further use, then the administratorselects the existing virtual credit card that is to be blocked 606 froma list of virtual credit cards and the administrator confirms the blockof the virtual credit card 607.

The administrator may also select an option to send a saved virtualcredit card to a recipient 608.

With reference to FIG. 7, a flow chart showing steps for managingvarious account settings using the method and system of the presentinvention is illustrated. First, the administrator selects a settingsoption 701 (as shown in FIG. 3). Next, the administrator may select anaccount settings option 702. Then, the administrator is presented with ausername 703 and password 704. The administrator may reset the password705 and/or the administrator may select an option to require thepassword to be entered prior to creating any virtual credit card 706 asan added security measure. The administrator may also change the PIN707.

Alternatively, the administrator may select an option to manage instantvirtual credit card settings 708. First, the administrator enters adefault first name 709. Then, the administrator enters a default lastname 710. Next, the administrator enters a dollar amount 711. Then, theadministrator may limit the number of transactions that may be performedwith the instant virtual credit card 712. Next, the administrator mayrestrict usage of instant virtual credit card 713, such as limiting thetimes of day that the instant virtual credit card may be used. Then, theadministrator may enter an expiration date 714. Finally, theadministrator may use the saved information to create an instant virtualcredit card without having to re-enter the information, as illustratedin FIG. 8. The instant virtual credit card is more ideal for situationswhere the dollar amounts and other factors remain the same and theadministrator needs to create an instant virtual credit card on aregular basis, such as creating an instant virtual credit card everymonth for an employee to pay for office supplies, or for a recurringmonthly charges from a vendor.

Alternatively, the administrator may select to manage virtual creditcard settings 715, which requires less information than an instantvirtual credit card because dollar amounts and other setting are morelikely to change than an instant virtual credit card. First, theadministrator enters a default first name 716. Then, the administratorenters a default last name 717. Finally, the administrator enters adollar amount 718. This information will then automatically be populatedwhen the administrator creates a virtual credit card for a recipient, asillustrated in FIG. 4.

With reference to FIG. 8, a flow chart showing steps for creating aninstant virtual credit card using the method and system of the presentinvention is illustrated. First, the administrator selects an option tocreate an instant virtual credit card 801 and selects a recipient. Then,an instant virtual credit is created using default information stored inthe settings 802 for the transaction to be performed or for therecipient selected by the administrator. Next, the administrator usesthe instant virtual credit card in a financial transaction 803 or theadministrator sends instant virtual credit card to recipient 804 (seeFIG. 4).

With reference to FIG. 9, a flow chart showing steps for copying instantvirtual credit card information into a payment screen to complete anonline purchase using the method and system of the present invention isillustrated. First, an instant virtual credit card is created having aunique credit card number, a card verification code (“CVC”) number andan expiration date 901. Then, an option is selected to copy the creditcard number 902 and paste the credit card number into the appropriatefield of a payment screen 903. Next, an option is selected to copy theCVC number 904 and paste the CVC number into the appropriate field of apayment screen 905. Then, an option is selected to copy the expirationdate 906 and paste the expiration date into the appropriate field of apayment screen 907. Finally, the instant virtual credit card informationmay be submitted to the online retailer 908, thereby completing thetransaction.

With reference to FIG. 10, an example of a computer environment, inwhich the method and system of the present invention operates isillustrated. A server 1001 operated by the card issuer receives andsends information over the internet 1002 to an administrator'selectronic device 1003. Information regarding the administrator'saccount and virtual credit cards is stored in the card issuer's centraldatabase 1004 and may be accessed and updated by the administratorthrough the internet 1002 and the card issuer's server 1001. Theadministrator may create a virtual credit card and then email or textthe virtual credit card via the internet 1002 or a mobile system to arecipient's electronic device 1005.

In FIG. 11, a front view of an electronic device displaying an accountsetup screen of the present invention is illustrated, which is selfexplanatory when viewed in conjunction with the description of themethod and system described herein.

In FIG. 12, a front view of an electronic device displaying a user loginscreen requiring a PIN of the present invention is illustrated, which isself explanatory when viewed in conjunction with the description of themethod and system described herein.

In FIG. 13, a front view of an electronic device displaying a mainscreen having the options of creating an instant virtual credit card, avirtual credit card, viewing existing virtual credit cards or viewingaccount settings of the present invention is illustrated, which is selfexplanatory when viewed in conjunction with the description of themethod and system described herein.

In FIG. 14, a front view of an electronic device displaying options andstep for creating a virtual credit card of the present invention isillustrated, which is self explanatory when viewed in conjunction withthe description of the method and system described herein.

In FIG. 15, a front view of an electronic device displaying advancedoptions and step for creating a virtual credit card of the presentinvention is illustrated, which is self explanatory when viewed inconjunction with the description of the method and system describedherein.

In FIG. 16, a front view of an electronic device displaying an option tolimit the number of transactions that may be performed using a virtualcredit card of the present invention is illustrated, which is selfexplanatory when viewed in conjunction with the description of themethod and system described herein.

In FIG. 17, a front view of an electronic device displaying an option tolimit the merchant categories where a virtual credit card of the presentinvention may be used is illustrated, which is self explanatory whenviewed in conjunction with the description of the method and systemdescribed herein.

In FIG. 18, a front view of an electronic device displaying a listing ofexisting virtual credit cards of the present invention that have beenissued by the administrator is illustrated, which is self explanatorywhen viewed in conjunction with the description of the method and systemdescribed herein.

In FIG. 19, a front view of an electronic device displaying an option toblock a virtual credit card of the present invention from being used forany future transaction is illustrated, which is self explanatory whenviewed in conjunction with the description of the method and systemdescribed herein.

In FIG. 20, a front view of an electronic device displaying accountdetails of an existing virtual credit card of the present invention isillustrated, which is self explanatory when viewed in conjunction withthe description of the method and system described herein.

In FIG. 21, a front view of an electronic device displaying options forsending a virtual credit card of the present invention to a recipient isillustrated, which is self explanatory when viewed in conjunction withthe description of the method and system described herein.

In FIG. 22, a front view of an electronic device displaying optionsviewing balance, account settings, instant virtual card settings andvirtual credit card setting present invention is illustrated, which isself explanatory when viewed in conjunction with the description of themethod and system described herein.

In FIG. 23, a front view of an electronic device displaying options forviewing and changing account settings of the present invention isillustrated, which is self explanatory when viewed in conjunction withthe description of the method and system described herein.

In FIG. 24, a front view of an electronic device displaying options forviewing and changing instant virtual credit card settings of the presentinvention is illustrated, which is self explanatory when viewed inconjunction with the description of the method and system describedherein.

In FIG. 25, a front view of an electronic device displaying options forviewing and changing virtual credit card settings of the presentinvention is illustrated, which is self explanatory when viewed inconjunction with the description of the method and system describedherein.

In FIG. 26, a front view of an electronic device displaying anon-editable virtual credit card of the present invention isillustrated, which is self explanatory when viewed in conjunction withthe description of the method and system described herein.

With regard to FIGS. 27 a and 27 b, views of a display screen showing ademo mode for demonstrating the method and system of the presentinvention are illustrated. After a user first downloads the serviceprovider's software on his or her electronic device, the user is giventhree options, as illustrated in FIG. 27 a. The user may watch a demoexplaining how the software works 2701, as illustrated in FIG. 27 b,sign into an existing account with the service provider 2702 or create anew account with the service provider 2703.

With regard to FIGS. 28 a-28 l, views of a display screen showing stepsfor securely sending a virtual credit card using the method and systemof the present invention are illustrated. First, a user or administratorcreates a virtual credit card and chooses an option to send 2801 thevirtual credit card to a recipient, as illustrated in FIG. 28 a. Then,the user is given the options of sending the virtual credit card as anunsecure transmission 2802, as a secure transmission 2803 or to cancelthe send 2804, as illustrated in FIG. 28 b. If the user chooses to sendthe virtual credit card as an unsecure transmission 2802, then the userwill be required to confirm the decision, as illustrated in FIG. 28 c.The user is then given the options to send the virtual credit card as animage via email 2805, as text via email 2806, as text via SMS 2807 or tocancel the virtual credit card 2808, as illustrated in FIG. 28 d. If theuser chooses to send the virtual credit card as an image via email 2805,then the user will be allowed to enter the recipients email address2809, a subject to the email 2810, and a message. An image of the card2811 will be shown in the body of the email, as illustrated in FIG. 28e. If the user chooses to send the virtual credit card as text via email2806, then the user will be allowed to enter the recipients emailaddress 2809, a subject to the email 2810, and a message. A text versionof the virtual credit card 2812 will be shown in the body of the email,as illustrated in FIG. 28 f. If the user chooses to send the virtualcredit card as text via SMS 2806, then the user will be allowed to enterthe recipients phone number 2813 and a message. A text version of thevirtual credit card 2812 will be shown in the body of the SMS, asillustrated in FIG. 28 g. If the user chose to send the virtual creditcard as a secure transmission 2803, then the user will be allowed toenter the recipients contact information 2814, as illustrated in FIG. 28h. The recipient will then be sent a message informing him or her thatthey have been issued a virtual credit card and directing him or her toa website to retrieve the virtual credit card, as illustrated in FIG. 28i. When the recipient visits the website, he or she is allowed to loginusing a pre-existing username and website or allowed to create a newaccount to securely login to retrieve the virtual credit card, asillustrated in FIG. 28 j. The recipient's account may be limited to onlyallow the recipient to view received cards, as illustrated in FIGS. 28 kand 28 l. The account may also be limited in other manners, such aslimiting sub-users or sub-administrator to only views cards they havepersonally created.

With regard to FIGS. 29 a-29 c, views of a display screen showing stepsfor sending virtual credit cards to multiple recipients at the same timeusing the method and system of the present invention are illustrated.First, a user selects an option to create a mailing list of recipients,as illustrated in FIG. 29 a. Then, the user enters each recipient'scontact information either manually or by importing from a pre-populatedcontact list on the electronic device, which may be an email address ortelephone number, as illustrated in FIG. 29 b. Finally, the user mayenter a dollar amount 2901, an exact dollar amount 2902, restrict usageof the virtual credit card 2903 and/or enter a message 2904, asillustrated in FIG. 29 c.

With regard to FIG. 30, a view of a display screen showing stepsattaching and sending a photo with a virtual credit card using themethod and system of the present invention is illustrated. A user mayattach a photo of purchase order, invoice and so forth to an email orSMS 3001 so the recipient knows what to apply the payment to.

Finally with regard to FIG. 31, a view of a display screen showing stepsfor logging into accounts for users having more than one account withthe service provider is illustrated. Users having more than one account3201 for different businesses may select the appropriate account whencreating a virtual credit card or checking existing virtual creditcards.

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific formor arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparentto those skilled in the art that various changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to beconsidered limited to what is shown and described in the specificationand drawings.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:
 1. A method for accountholders to make, track and control virtual credit card numbers using anelectronic device, said method comprising the steps of: a. an accountholder creating an account with a credit card issuer; b. at least oneadministrator being allowed access to manage the account and issuevirtual credit cards to recipients; c. the at least one administratordownloading software onto an electronic device that allows theadministrator to access a server and database controlled by the creditcard issuer; d. said at least one administrator being assigned a sign onname and password to access; and e. said administrator creating avirtual credit card.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising a stepafter step e of: said at least one administrator emailing the virtualcredit card to a recipient.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein: saidvirtual credit card is a non-editable image of a credit card that therecipient can display on a screen of an electronic device.
 4. The methodof claim 1 further comprising a step after step e of: said at least oneadministrator texting the virtual credit card to a recipient.
 5. Themethod of claim 4 wherein: said virtual credit card is a non-editableimage of a credit card that the recipient can display on a screen of anelectronic device.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein: said password is apersonal identification number.
 7. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising the step of: said at least on administrator limiting thevirtual credit card to only be used to conduct financial transactions atmerchants having selected merchant category codes.
 8. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising the step of: said at least on administratorlimiting the number or financial transactions the virtual credit cardmay be used to conduct.
 9. The method of claim 1 further comprising thestep of: the account holder being extended a line of credit to fund theaccount.
 10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: theaccount being pre-funded by the account holder.
 11. The method of claim1 wherein: said electronic device is a smart phone.
 12. The method ofclaim 1 wherein: said electronic device is a tablet.
 13. The method ofclaim 1 wherein: said electronic device is a computer.
 14. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising a step after step e of: said at least oneadministrator blocking the virtual credit card form further use.
 15. Themethod of claim 1 further a comprising a step of: said at least onesub-administrator being appointed to manage the account.
 16. The methodof claim 15 further a comprising a step of: said at least oneadministrator limiting the at least one sub-administrator's access tothe account.
 17. The method of claim 1 further a comprising a step of:entering and storing information into account that may be later used tocreate an instant virtual credit card.
 18. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising a step of: copying a credit card number from a virtual creditcard in an electronic device; and pasting the credit card number into afield of a payment screen.
 19. The method of claim 1 further comprisinga step of: requiring a recipient of a virtual credit card to enter intoa secure website to retrieve the virtual credit card.
 20. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising a step of: a plurality of virtual creditcards are created and transmitted simultaneously to a plurality ofrecipients.
 21. The method of claim 2 further comprising a step of:attaching a photo to the email.
 22. The method of claim 4 furthercomprising a step of: attaching a photo to the text.
 23. A system foraccount holders to make, track and control virtual credit card numbersusing an electronic device, said system comprising: an account holdercreating an account with a credit card issuer; at least oneadministrator being allowed access to manage the account and issuevirtual credit cards to recipients; the at least one administratordownloading software onto an electronic device that allows theadministrator to access a server and database controlled by the creditcard issuer; said at least one administrator being assigned a sign onname and password to access; and said administrator creating a virtualcredit card.
 24. The system of claim 23 further comprising: said atleast one administrator emailing the virtual credit card to a recipient.25. The system of claim 24 wherein: said virtual credit card is anon-editable image of a credit card that the recipient can display on ascreen of an electronic device.
 26. The system of claim 23 furthercomprising: said at least one administrator texting the virtual creditcard to a recipient.
 27. The system of claim 26 wherein: said virtualcredit card is a non-editable image of a credit card that the recipientcan display on a screen of an electronic device.
 28. The system of claim23 wherein: said password is a personal identification number.
 29. Thesystem of claim 23 further comprising: said at least on administratorlimiting the virtual credit card to only be used to conduct financialtransactions at merchants having selected merchant category codes. 30.The system of claim 23 further comprising: said at least onadministrator limiting the number or financial transactions the virtualcredit card may be used to conduct.
 31. The system of claim 23 furthercomprising: the account holder being extended a line of credit to fundthe account.
 32. The system of claim 23 further comprising: the accountbeing pre-funded by the account holder.
 33. The system of claim 23wherein: said electronic device is a smart phone.
 34. The system ofclaim 23 wherein: said electronic device is a tablet.
 35. The system ofclaim 23 wherein: said electronic device is a computer.
 36. The systemof claim 23 further comprising: said at least one administrator blockingthe virtual credit card form further use.
 37. The system of claim 23further a comprising: said at least one sub-administrator beingappointed to manage the account.
 38. The system of claim 37 further acomprising: said at least one administrator limiting the at least onesub-administrator's access to the account.
 39. The system of claim 23further a comprising: entering and storing information into account thatmay be later used to create an instant virtual credit card.
 40. Thesystem of claim 23 further comprising: copying a credit card number froma virtual credit card in an electronic device; and pasting the creditcard number into a field of a payment screen.
 41. The method of claim 23further comprising a step of: requiring a recipient of a virtual creditcard to enter into a secure website to retrieve the virtual credit card.42. The method of claim 23 further comprising a step of: a plurality ofvirtual credit cards are created and transmitted simultaneously to aplurality of recipients.
 43. The method of claim 24 further comprising astep of: attaching a photo to the email.
 44. The method of claim 26further comprising a step of: attaching a photo to the text.